Dahlia plant named ‘DANITTEN’

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘DANITTEN’, characterized by its cylindrical upright shape, with stiff and strong lateral stems and thick (mostly compound) leaves with up to 5 leaflets; color of mature leaves RHS 147A (upper side), RHS 191A (Underside); compound leaves 8-20 cm in length, and 8-20 cm in width. The few single leaves, present near ground level, are 16-21 cm in length and 8-10 cm in width. Composite flower heads are 9-11 cm in diameter, with a large number of ray florets (about 110 to 130). The ray florets are green-yellow (RHS 1A) near base, transforming into yellow (RHS 12B) at apex.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Dahlia Cav.

Variety denomination: ‘DANITTEN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant, botanically known as Dahlia Cav., of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DANITTEN’.

The new Dahlia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Rune Nielsen, in Stige, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Dahlia cultivar with an upright, strong and healthy growth habit, suitable for large scale container production and with good garden performance; fully double flowers creating globular-shaped flower head (composite flower heads with many ray florets) with an attractive inflorescence color.

The new Dahlia cultivar originated from a cross, made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2006, in Stige, Denmark. The female or seed parent is white Dahlia cultivar designated ‘DASYTTEN’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,037). The male or pollen parent is a yellow-orange colored Dahlia variety designated 5213M (unpatented).

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia cultivar by terminal cuttings was first performed in November, 2007 in Stige, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DANITTEN’, which in combination distinguish this Dahlia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Cultivar with cylindrical upright shape;     -   2. Cultivar with stiff and strong lateral stems and thick,         mostly compound leaves, with up to 5 leaflets. Color of mature         leaves yellow-green (RHS 147A) (upper side), greyed-green (RHS         191A) (Underside);     -   3. Compound leaves 8-20 cm in length, and 8-20 cm in width. The         few single leaves present near ground level are 16-21 cm in         length and 8-10 cm in width;     -   4. Composite flower heads, 9-11 cm in diameter, with a large         number of ray florets (about 110 to 130); and     -   5. Ray florets which are green-yellow (RHS 1A) near base,         transforming into yellow (RHS 12B) at apex.

Plants of the new Dahlia ‘DANITTEN’ differ from plants of the parent, ‘DASYTTEN’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,037) in the traits described in Table 1. (The unpatented male parent 5213M is no longer available for comparison).

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parent Variety New Cultivar Comparison Cultivar Trait ‘DANITTEN’ ‘DASYTTEN’ Plant Size Height: About 35-45 cm. About 45-50 cm. Diameter: About 40-45 cm. About 35-40 em. Overall Plant Cylindrical, upright, Cylindrical, upright to Shape: with basal branching. outward, with basal Inflorescences in branching. Inflorescences composite heads. in composite heads. Basal branches Length: 8-16 cm. 12-14 cm. Diameter: 8-12 mm 6-11 mm Strength: Stiff and strong. Stiff and strong. Color: RHS 146B (yellow- Brown, RHS 200A on green). older stems, and yellow- green, RHS 147B, on younger stems or stems exposed to less light Leaves Colour mature RHS 147A (yellow- RHS N189A (greyed- upper side: green), green), Underside: RHS 191A (greyed- RHS 191B (greyed- green). green). Peduncle Colour mature: RHS 197A (greye-green) RHS 200B (brown) Colour immature: RHS 146B (yellow-green) RHS 146B (yellow-green) Color of ray florets RHS 1A (green-yellow) Near base RHS 1B Upper Side: near base transforming (green-yellow), into RHS 12B transitioning to RHS 17C (yellow) at apex. (yellow-orange) at apex.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Dahlia ‘DANITTEN’ is the Dahlia cultivar ‘DASYTTEN’, in the characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with Comparison Variety New Cultivar Comparison Cultivar Trait ‘DANITTEN’ ‘DASYTTEN’ Plant Size Height: About 35-45 cm About 45-50 cm. Diameter: About 40-45 cm About 35-40 cm. Overall Plant: Cylindrical, upright, with Cylindrical, upright to Shape basal branching. outward, with basal Influrescences in branching. Inflorescences composite heads. in composite heads. Basal branches Length: 8-16 cm. 12-14 cm. Diameter: 8-12 mm 6-11 mm Strength: Stiff and strong. Stiff and strong. Color: RHS 146B (yellow- Brown, RHS 200A on older green), stems, and yellow-green, RHS 147B, on younger stems or stems exposed to less light. Leaves Colour mature RHS 147A (yellow- RHS N189A (greyed- upper side: green), green), Underside: RHS 191A (greyed- RHS 191B (greyed-green). green). Peduncle Colour mature: RHS 197A (greyed-green) RHS 200B (brown) Colour immature: RHS 146B (yellow-green) RHS 146B (yellow-green) Color of ray florets RHS 1A (green-yellow) Near base RHS 1B (green- Upper side: near base transforming yellow) transitioning to into RHS12B (yellow) RHS 17C (yellow-orange) at apex. at apex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia ‘DANITTEN’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘DANITTEN’.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up view of the composite flower head from ‘DANITTEN’.

FIG. 2 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DANITTEN’ in a 19 cm pot, at 12 weeks of age after potting the young plant.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of different development stages of the composite flower head of ‘DANITTEN’ at (from left to right) first blooming, +2 days, +4 days, +6 days, and +10 days.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the 120-140 ray florets from one composite flower head of ‘DANITTEN’

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 shows a close-up view of the different single and compound leaf sizes of ‘DANITTEN’.

FIG. 8 shows a comparison between ‘DASYTTEN’ and ‘DANITTEN’, (Breeders reference: 5876A).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dahlia ‘DANITTEN’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Dahlia ‘DANITTEN’ as grown in a protected environment in a glass, greenhouse in Fyn, Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. During propagation, conducted in a glasshouse, vegetative cuttings were planted in small propagation pots with peat as substrate, and then placed in a plastic tunnel averaging about 21° C. and received photoperiodic treatments of 18 hours. Supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Rooting occurred about 12 days after planting. In third week after planting the cutting, young plants were potted in an 19 cm pot in a glass covered greenhouse, maintained at 18° C. to 22° C. during the day, and at 17° C. to 19° C. during the night. Photoperiodic treatments were continued at 18 hours, and supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Irrigation was done with water. The EC measured in the soil was maintained between 2.0 to 3.0 mS/m. One week after potting, the first growth regulation was given: a spray with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 40-100 m1/m2. During the production time, 9 additional sprayings were given with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 40-100 m1/m2.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under March daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The age of the ‘DANITTEN’ plants described is 15 weeks (including propagation time).

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Dahlia Cav. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Dahlia variety designated DASYTTEN             (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,037).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Dehlia variety designated 5213M             (Unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative terminate cuttings.         -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—About 9 to 12 days             at 21° C. in tunnels or flat covered in a greenhouse.         -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted young plant.—About             28 days at 21° C. during rooting phase, followed by 18° C.         -   Rooting habit.—Fine, fibrous; Color of root: RHS             Yellow-white 158C.         -   Tuber development.—Plants might develop tubers in late fall             when planted outside. -   Plant description:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Cylindrical, upright, with             basal branching. Inflorescences in composite heads.         -   Growth rate.—Growing about 3 to 6 cm per week during             production period.         -   Plant height (from soil level to top of plant plane).—About             35 cm to 45 cm.         -   Plant width (spread).—About 40 cm to 45 cm.         -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—It requires 3             to 4 weeks to produce a young plant in a 35 mm propagation             plug. After potting 9 to 12 weeks are required to produce             finished flowering plants in 19 cm pots. -   Stem:     -   -   Shape.—Round.         -   Length.—About 8 cm to 16 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 10 mm to 14 mm.         -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly outward.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—Mature: RHS 146B. Immature: RHS 146B. -   Branches:     -   -   Branching habit.—Basal branching with lateral branches.         -   Number of basal branches per plant.—About 3-5 (when pinched             above 3 pair of leaves).         -   Length (including flowers).—About 8 cm to 18 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 10 mm to 14 mm.         -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly spreading.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—Mature: RHS 146B. Immature: RHS 146B.         -   Internodes length.—About 25 to 55 mm.         -   Internodes color.—RHS 146B. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Type.—Lower leaves: Compound, 3 lobed and a few single.             Middle leaves: Compound, 5 lobed. Upper leaves: Compound,             2-3 lobed and a few single.         -   Number of leaves per branch.—About 8 to 12 per branch.         -   Color of leaves (leaves and leaflets).—Color of upper side             (mature) RHS 147A. Color of underside (mature) RHS 191A.             Color of upper side (immature) RHS 137A. Color of underside             (immature) RHS 137C.         -   Venation (leaves and leaflets).—Pattern: Pinnate. Color of             upper side: RHS 146A. Color of underside: RHS 146C. -   Compound leaves:     -   -   Number of leaflets per compound leaf.—3 to 5.         -   Length of compound leaf.—8 cm to 20 cm.         -   Width of compound leaf.—8 cm to 20 cm.         -   Petiole of compound leaves.—Shape: Semi circular, with deep             furrow on adaxial side. Length: 1.5 cm to 6 cm. Diameter: 3             mm to 10 mm. Texture: Smooth and glabrous. Color: RHS 146B.         -   Leaflets of compound leaf.—Terminal leaflet quantity: 1.             Terminal leaflet length: 5 cm to 10 cm. Terminal leaflet             width: 4 cm to 9 cm. Terminal leaflet shape: Ovate. Terminal             leaflet shape at apex: Acuminate. Terminal leaflet shape at             base: Cordate to rounded (not always symmetric). Terminal             leaflet margin: Dentate. Terminal leaflet texture (both             sides): Rugose. Rachis length: 1 cm to 4 cm. Rachis             Diameter: 2 mm to 4 mm. Rachis color: RHS 146B. Lateral             leaflet quantity: 2 to 4. Lateral leaflet length: 4 cm to             11 cm. Lateral leaflet width: 3 cm to 7 cm. Lateral leaflet             overall shape: Ovate. Lateral leaflet shape at apex:             Acuminate (mostly asymmetric). Lateral leaflet shape at             base: Rounded (not always symmetric). Lateral leaflet             margin: Dentate. Lateral leaflet texture (both sides):             Rugose. -   Simple leaves:     -   -   Simple leaves overall shape.—Ovate.         -   Simple leaves shape at apex.—Acuminate.         -   Simple leaves shape at base.—Cordate to rounded.         -   Simple leaves length.—8 cm to 21 cm.         -   Simple leaves width.—5 cm to 10 cm.         -   Simple leaves margin.—Dentate.         -   Simple leaves texture.—Rugose.         -   Petiole shape.—Semi circular, with deep furrow on adaxial             side.         -   Petiole length.—1 cm to 7 cm.         -   Petiole diameter.—3 mm to 10 mm.         -   Petiole texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Petiole color.—RHS 146B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Grown outside as a bedding plant,             flowering occurs continuously during growing season from             spring to autumn/(In Denmark, from June to beginning of             October). Plants can be brought to flower anytime when grown             under the recommended greenhouse conditions.         -   Time to flower.—60 to 80 days from potting a young plant             until flowering.         -   Inflorescence longevity on the plant.—Inflorescence will             maintain good color and substance for about 6-10 days;             however, the longevity of individual inflorescence is highly             dependent on temperature and light conditions. Inflorescence             persistent.         -   Type.—Composite flower heads.         -   Arrangement and shape.—Persistent, single, composite             inflorescences from leaf axils. Disc and ray florets             arranged acropetally in a composite flower head. Upright,             slightly spreading. Terminal young flower head/buds             initially 0-30°. Buds from axillary shoots 60-100°. When             flower opens 0-45°.         -   Quantity of inflorescences heads.—Freely flowering; about 14             buds and open inflorescences per plant.         -   Fragrance.—Soft honey.         -   Bud (inflorescences head).—Rate of opening (from showing             color to fully open): 4 to 10 days. The rate of opening is             highly dependent on temperature and light conditions.             Length: About 10-14 mm. Diameter: About 16-22 mm. Shape:             Flat globular. Texture: Glabrous, shining. Color: RHS 144A             developing into RHS 144B.         -   Peduncle.—From both terminate and axillary shoots. Length:             About 8-16 cm. Diameter: About 4-6 mm. Angle: About 0-20°             from vertical. Strength: Stiff and strong. Texture:             Glabrous. Color (mature): RHS 197A. Color (immature): RHS             146B.         -   Receptacle.—Height: 10-14 mm. Diameter: 12-14 mm. Color: RHS             Yellow-Green 146A.         -   Inflorescence head.—Depth (height): 6-8 cm. Diameter:             9-11 cm. Disc diameter: 12-14 mm.         -   Ray florets.—Arrangement: Imbricate, in about 9 to 14 whorls             of ray florets, each with 9 to 11 florets to equal a total             of about 110-130 ray florets per flower head, depending on             light and temperature conditions. Quantity per inflorescence             head: 110-130. Length: 40-45 mm. Widths: 22-30 mm. Overall             shape: Obovate. Apex shape: Obtuse. Base shape: Acuminate,             slightly fused. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous (upper             side and underside). Colour when opening fused ray floret             starting to show color: RHS 15A. Colour when fully opened             Color upper side: RHS 1A near base, transforming into RHS             12B at apex. Color underside: RHS 1A near base transforming             into RHS 12B at apex (less intense than the upper side).         -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: 30-40 yellow-orange disc florets             arranged in center of inflorescence head. Appearance:             Quantity per Inflorescence head: 35-45. Length: 15-17 mm.             Diameter: 3 mm. Overall shape: Tubular. Apex shape: Star             with 5 triangular tips. Base shape: Fused to tube. Color RHS             17B, RHS 145C near base.         -   Phyllary.—Arrangement: One subtending each floret. Quantity:             110-130. Length: 12-22 mm. Width: 6-9 mm. Overall shape:             Rounded. Shape at apex: Acute with rounded tip. Shape at             base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Color: Mature: RHS 151B on             upper side. RHS 146A on underside of the 8-10 phyllaries in             the outer whorl. Immature: RHS 151B (both sides).         -   Bracts.—Arrangement and appearance: Reflexed, involucral             bracts. Quantity: 7-8. Length: 13-21 mm. Width: 7-10 mm.             Overall shape: Subulate. Apex shape: Acute. Base shape:             Sessile. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Color mature             Upper side: RHS 137A. Underside: RHS 137B. Colour immature             Upper side: RHS 137A. Underside: RHS 137B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Location: Disc florets only. Stamen number: 5,             fused into synandrous tube around style. Stamen length:             About 6-10 mm. Anther shape: Tubular. Anther length: About             5-6 mm. Pollen amount: A lot. Pollen color: RHS N25C.         -   Gynoecium.—Location: Ray and disc florets (Gynoecium at ray             florets is poorly developed). Quantity: 1. Pistil length:             15-17 mm. Stigma shape: Bifurcate. Stigma length: About             4 mm. Stigma color: Not visible due to the cover of pollen             brushed of the anthers. It then appears RHS N25C. Style             length: About 6 mm. Style color: RHS 151C. Ovary color: RHS             151C. -   Seed/fruit: Seed and fruit production has not been observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Dahlia has not been observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests     common to Dahlia has not been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Dahlia have exhibited good     tolerance to rain, wind and drought; however, flowering may cease     during hot periods (temperatures above 25° C. ). Low temperature     tolerance to 1° C. -   Growth regulators: Daminozide (85% water soluble dry concentrate     formulation). 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘DANITTEN’, as illustrated and described herein. 